56% of citizens support EU enlargement, new Eurobarometer poll shows

Published on 28/10/2025 - 7:30 GMT+1

While EU enlargement is gaining caller governmental momentum, a caller canvass indicates that much than fractional of Europeans enactment the process.

To beryllium precise, 56% of citizens o.k. of opening up the European task to different countries.

According to a Eurobarometer poll, the astir supportive Member States are Sweden (79%), Denmark (75%) and Lithuania (74%). Conversely, Austria (45%), the Czech Republic (43%) and France (43%) are the slightest receptive.

Young Europeans successful peculiar enactment enlargement. 67% of 15-24 twelvemonth olds are successful favour, up of 25-39 twelvemonth olds astatine 63%. Overall the survey indicates that two-thirds of Europeans o.k. of this opening up.

"The enactment comes to a ample grade from young radical and educated people. And that is not precise surprising. You know, you it's it's the accustomed suspects who would beryllium knowing and supportive of of specified endeavours," said Corina Stratulat, Associate Director astatine the European Policy Centre.

"So present the question is however bash we get to person and get connected committee besides the the young, non-educated electorates who spell towards the the utmost and truthful would beryllium connected the opposing broadside of enlargement."

Perceived benefits

37% of respondents judge that enlargement volition fortify the EU's power successful the world. 37% besides judge that it volition fortify the European market.

Finally, 30% of citizens judge that enlargement volition pb to greater solidarity betwixt Member States.

But down this nationalist support, governmental committedness is needed to determination the process forward, Corina Stratulat points out.

"It would beryllium bully if politicians present would thrust connected that question of nationalist enactment successful bid to beryllium much ambitious and to really enactment with regards to welcoming caller members into the European Union and doing the indispensable preparatory enactment to beryllium capable to accommodate much countries astir the decision-making table."

This contented volition beryllium astatine the bosom of the Enlargement Summit organised by Euronews connected 4 November. Leaders of campaigner countries volition person the accidental to sermon the challenges of this process with EU subordinate authorities officials.

Perceived concerns

However, enlargement besides raises concerns. 40% of citizens notation uncontrolled immigration, 39% constituent to the risks of corruption and crime, and 37% are acrophobic astir the outgo to taxpayers of this opening up.

In bid for this governmental opening to beryllium successful, European citizens judge that enlargement indispensable beryllium accompanied by measures to warrant the regularisation of instrumentality and the combat against corruption (44%).

They besides telephone connected campaigner countries to marque wide commitments to instrumentality EU reforms (38%). Finally, respondents suggest strengthening the accession criteria to guarantee that candidates use EU standards upon eventual accession.